US20040050616A1 - Torque sensing for a steering system - Google Patents
Torque sensing for a steering system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040050616A1 US20040050616A1 US10/250,551 US25055103A US2004050616A1 US 20040050616 A1 US20040050616 A1 US 20040050616A1 US 25055103 A US25055103 A US 25055103A US 2004050616 A1 US2004050616 A1 US 2004050616A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- steering
- output
- torque
- subsystem
- input
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
- G01L5/00—Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes
- G01L5/22—Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring the force applied to control members, e.g. control members of vehicles, triggers
- G01L5/221—Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring the force applied to control members, e.g. control members of vehicles, triggers to steering wheels, e.g. for power assisted steering
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D6/00—Arrangements for automatically controlling steering depending on driving conditions sensed and responded to, e.g. control circuits
- B62D6/08—Arrangements for automatically controlling steering depending on driving conditions sensed and responded to, e.g. control circuits responsive only to driver input torque
- B62D6/10—Arrangements for automatically controlling steering depending on driving conditions sensed and responded to, e.g. control circuits responsive only to driver input torque characterised by means for sensing or determining torque
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
- G01L3/00—Measuring torque, work, mechanical power, or mechanical efficiency, in general
- G01L3/02—Rotary-transmission dynamometers
- G01L3/04—Rotary-transmission dynamometers wherein the torque-transmitting element comprises a torsionally-flexible shaft
- G01L3/10—Rotary-transmission dynamometers wherein the torque-transmitting element comprises a torsionally-flexible shaft involving electric or magnetic means for indicating
- G01L3/12—Rotary-transmission dynamometers wherein the torque-transmitting element comprises a torsionally-flexible shaft involving electric or magnetic means for indicating involving photoelectric means
Abstract
Description
- The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/266,979, filed on Feb. 7, 2001 and entitled “Method and Device for Detecting Steering Torque.”
- The present invention generally relates to power assisted steering systems and, more specifically, to power assisted steering systems that differentiate between forces originating at a steering input and forces originating at a steering output.
- As an attempt to increase fuel-efficiency of automobiles, electric power assisted steering systems have been introduced to the automotive market. These systems assist in steering vehicles by applying additional torque to the steering system whenever torque is sensed in the steering shaft. Although these systems have increased fuel-efficiency, they are unable to differentiate between torque created by forces at the steering input and at the steering output. Forces originating at the steering output may be the result of the road wheel coming into contact with a curb or a large bump in the road, while forces originating at the steering input are those forces that a driver applies. Because the currently existing systems are unable to differentiate between these forces, the forces originating at the steering output (e.g. a road wheel) are sensed as an input torque and cause the system to apply additional torqu to the steering shaft in the same direction, thereby causing vibration in the steering input (e.g. a steering wheel) and decreasing stability of the system.
- While it is important to reduce the effort drivers must use to steer a vehicle, it is of equal importance to resist forces that originate at the steering output. Forces originating at the steering output sometimes steer the vehicle in an unintended direction and applying additional torque to the steering shaft may exacerbate this problem. For these reasons, there is a need in the automotive art, if not other arts, for a power assisted steering system that is able to distinguish between forces originating at the steering input and the steering output and to react to these forces differently.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of the preferred embodiment;
- FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the torque sensing subsystem of the preferred embodiment; and
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the torque sensing subsystem of FIG. 2.
- The following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention is not intended to limit the scope of this invention to this embodiment, but rather to enable any person skilled in the art of power assisted steering systems to make and use the invention.
- As shown in FIG. 1, the
steering system 10 of the preferred embodiment includes asteering input subsystem 12, asteering output subsystem 14, asteer assist subsystem 16, and atorque sensing subsystem 18. Thesteering system 10 is capable of determining the magnitude and origination of an applied torque on thesteering system 10, which decreases the vibration and increases the stability of thesteering system 10. - The
steering input subsystem 12 of the preferred embodiment includes asteering input device 20 and aninput shaft 22. Thesteering input device 20 functions to receive forces from a driver of the vehicle and transfer those forces to inputshaft 22. Thesteering input device 20 is preferably a conventional steering wheel, but may alternatively be any suitable device for receiving forces from the driver of the vehicle. Thesteering input device 20 is preferably fastened to theinput shaft 22 with conventional fasteners. Theinput shaft 22, which functions to transfer the forces from the driver through thesteering system 10, is preferably a conventional solid shaft, but may alternatively be any suitable device. - The
steering output subsystem 14 of the preferred embodiment includes anoutput shaft 23, a rack-and-pinion device 24, androad wheels 26. Theoutput shaft 23, which functions to receive torque from theinput shaft 22 and transfer the torque to the rack-and-pinion device 24, is preferably a conventional solid shaft, but may alternatively be any suitable device. Theoutput shaft 23 is preferably fastened to the rack-and-pinion device 24 with conventional fasteners. The rack-and-pinion device 24, which functions to convert the rotational movement of theoutput shaft 23 into a pivoting movement of theroad wheels 26, is preferably a conventional device. In alternative embodiments, any suitable device, such as a recirculating-ball device, may be used to pivot theroad wheels 26. Theroad wheels 26, which function to communicate with a road surface, are preferably connected to the rack-and-pinion device 24 with conventional fasteners. Theroad wheels 26 are preferably conventional road wheels, but may alternatively be any suitable device to communicate with a surface, such as a ski on a snow mobile or a rudder on a watercraft. - The
steer assist subsystem 16 of the preferred embodiment includes apower supply 28, acontrol unit 30, and anassist motor 32. Thesteer assist subsystem 16 functions to assist thesteering output subsystem 14 and turn theroad wheels 26 according to the intent of the driver. Thepower supply 28 is preferably a conventional battery within the vehicle, but may alternatively be a dedicated power supply for thesteering system 10, or may be any suitable device able to power thecontrol unit 30 and theassist motor 32. Thecontrol unit 30, which functions to receive data signals from a computational unit (discussed below) and to control the torque and direction of the output of theassist motor 32, is preferably connected to assistmotor 32 with conventional wires. Thecontrol unit 30 is preferably a conventional microprocessor with a look up menu that determines an appropriate command for theassist motor 32. Theassist motor 32 is preferably coupled to the rack-and-pinion device 24 and in communication with thecontrol unit 30. The assistmotor 32 functions to apply torque to the rack-and-pinion device 24 in accordance with the commands received from thecontrol unit 30. The additional torque serves to decrease the effort required by the driver to steer the vehicle and/or to reduce the effects of external forces acting onroad wheels 26. Theassist motor 32 preferably applies torque directly to the rack-and-pinion device 24. Alternatively, theassist motor 32 may indirectly apply torque to the rack-and-pinion device 24. For example, assistmotor 32 may apply force directly tooutput shaft 23, thereby resulting in increased or decreased torque within the rack-and-pinion device 24. Theassist motor 32 is preferably a conventional electric motor, but may alternatively be any suitable device with a significant output to assist in the steering or reduce the vibrations of thesteering system 10. - As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the
torque sensing subsystem 18 of the preferred embodiment includes atorsion device 34, aninput indicator 36, anoutput indicator 38, aninput sensor 40, anoutput sensor 41, and acomputation unit 42. Thetorque sensing subsystem 18 is capable of determining the amount of torque being applied to theinput shaft 22 and to theoutput shaft 23. In addition, thetorque sensing system 18 is capable of determining where the torque originated. - The
torsion device 34 connects theinput shaft 22 to theoutput shaft 23 and functions to allow relative rotational motion between theinput shaft 22 and theoutput shaft 23. Thetorsion device 34 is preferably a conventional torsion bar, but may alternatively be any suitable device capable of allowing relative rotational movement between theinput shaft 22 and theoutput shaft 23 based upon a torque applied to theinput shaft 22 or theoutput shaft 23. - The
input indicator 36 and theoutput indicator 38 are preferably located on theinput shaft 22 and theoutput shaft 23, respectively. The purpose of theindicators input shaft 22 and theoutput shaft 23 at the location of theindicators indicators - The
input sensor 40 and theoutput sensor 41 are preferably connected to thecomputation unit 42. Thesensors indicators computation unit 42. Preferably, thesensors indicators - The
computation unit 42 functions to convert the movement data that it receives from thesensors computation unit 42 contains a look-up menu to accomplish this purpose. Upon receiving the movement data from thesensors computation unit 42 locates the torque measurement within the look-up menu that correlates with the particular movement data that is received. Alternatively, thecomputation unit 42 may use any suitable method to determine torque based on the movement data. - The
computation unit 42 also functions to determine the location at which the measured torque was first detected. In other words, thecomputation unit 42 determines if the torque on thetorsion device 34 originated from the road surface through theroad wheels 26 or from the driver through thesteering input device 20. If rotational movement was first detected at theinput indicator 36, it may be concluded that the originating source was thesteering input subsystem 12. Likewise, if the rotational movement was first detected at theoutput indicator 38, it may be concluded that the originating source was steeringoutput subsystem 14. - The
computation unit 42 further functions to transmit commands to the assistmotor 32 based on the determinations of the magnitude and origination of the applied torque. If thecomputation unit 42 concludes that the originating source was thesteering input subsystem 12, then it will transmit a signal to thecontrol unit 30 commanding it to have additional torque applied to the rack-and-pinion device 24 in the same direction as the measured torque. Otherwise, if thecomputation unit 42 concludes that the originating source was steeringoutput subsystem 14, then it will transmit a signal to thecontrol unit 30 commanding it to reduce the external torque applied to the rack-and-pinion device 24. The reduction of the torque is preferably accomplished by applying an opposing torque with theassist motor 32, but may be alternatively accomplished by negating at least some of the torque. Thecomputation unit 42 is preferably connected to thecontrol unit 30 by conventional wires, but may alternatively be connected by any suitable means, such as fiber optics. Further, thecomputation unit 42 and thecontrol unit 30 may be embodied in a single device, which would allow the single device to transmit commands directly to the assistmotor 32 without any external connection. - As any person skilled in the art of power assisted steering systems will recognize from the previous detailed description and from the FIGURES and claims, modifications and changes can be made to the preferred embodiment of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the following claims.
Claims (19)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/250,551 US6931311B2 (en) | 2001-02-07 | 2002-02-07 | Torque sensing for a steering system |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US26697901P | 2001-02-07 | 2001-02-07 | |
US60266979 | 2001-02-07 | ||
US10/250,551 US6931311B2 (en) | 2001-02-07 | 2002-02-07 | Torque sensing for a steering system |
PCT/US2002/003769 WO2002062602A2 (en) | 2001-02-07 | 2002-02-07 | Torque sensing for a steering system |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20040050616A1 true US20040050616A1 (en) | 2004-03-18 |
US6931311B2 US6931311B2 (en) | 2005-08-16 |
Family
ID=23016801
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/250,551 Expired - Fee Related US6931311B2 (en) | 2001-02-07 | 2002-02-07 | Torque sensing for a steering system |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6931311B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE10296270B4 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2387826B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2002062602A2 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070000716A1 (en) * | 2005-06-30 | 2007-01-04 | Globe Motors, Inc. | Steering system torque sensor |
US20140360804A1 (en) * | 2011-10-31 | 2014-12-11 | Nsk Ltd. | Torque detection apparatus and electric power steering apparatus |
JP2016197094A (en) * | 2015-04-06 | 2016-11-24 | キヤノン株式会社 | Displacement detection device, torque detection device, robot device, and displacement detection method |
WO2022043252A1 (en) * | 2020-08-26 | 2022-03-03 | Thyssenkrupp Presta Ag | Torque sensor unit with structured surface of the steering shafts |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AT514415B1 (en) * | 2013-06-06 | 2016-02-15 | Gharehgozloo Parastu Mag | Measuring sensor and measuring device |
Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4660671A (en) * | 1985-10-23 | 1987-04-28 | Trw Inc. | Electric steering gear |
US5020616A (en) * | 1987-09-11 | 1991-06-04 | Mitsubishi Denki K.K. | Power steering apparatus |
US5369583A (en) * | 1992-02-12 | 1994-11-29 | Lucas Industries Public Limited Company | Optical torque sensors and steering systems for vehicles incorporating them |
US5608394A (en) * | 1994-02-08 | 1997-03-04 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Position detecting method and apparatus |
US6018691A (en) * | 1993-06-29 | 2000-01-25 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Vehicle steering system |
US6044723A (en) * | 1997-05-29 | 2000-04-04 | Nsk Ltd. | Electric power assisting steering apparatus |
US6295879B1 (en) * | 1999-03-08 | 2001-10-02 | Trw Inc. | Torque sensing apparatus for an electric assist steering system |
US6389910B1 (en) * | 1997-12-17 | 2002-05-21 | Bishop Innovation Pty. Limited | Transmission path torque transducer |
US6450044B1 (en) * | 1997-08-15 | 2002-09-17 | Bishop Innovation Limited | Torque transducer |
US6543571B2 (en) * | 2000-07-14 | 2003-04-08 | Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd. | Torque detecting apparatus and electric power steering apparatus |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1008494A (en) * | 1963-08-20 | 1965-10-27 | Ford Motor Co | Improvements in or relating to apparatus for use in measuring torques |
GB1395911A (en) * | 1971-02-13 | 1975-05-29 | Hawker Siddeley Dynamics Eng | Torque measuring apparatus |
GB2093991A (en) * | 1981-02-26 | 1982-09-08 | British Hovercraft Corp Ltd | Torque measurement apparatus |
KR890000890A (en) * | 1987-06-22 | 1989-03-17 | 미타 가츠시게 | Torque Detection Device |
EP0842841B1 (en) * | 1996-11-19 | 2002-05-29 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Electric power steering control |
US5992556A (en) * | 1997-04-15 | 1999-11-30 | Trw Inc. | Method and apparatus for damping control of an electric assist steering system with vehicle speed signal loss feature |
DE19745823A1 (en) * | 1997-10-16 | 1999-04-29 | Sensor Instr Gmbh | Torque and rotation angle measuring device e.g. for motor vehicle |
US6935193B2 (en) * | 1999-12-06 | 2005-08-30 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Device for measuring the angle and/or the angular velocity of a rotatable body and/or the torque acting upon said body |
-
2002
- 2002-02-07 DE DE10296270T patent/DE10296270B4/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-02-07 GB GB0318369A patent/GB2387826B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-02-07 WO PCT/US2002/003769 patent/WO2002062602A2/en active Application Filing
- 2002-02-07 US US10/250,551 patent/US6931311B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4660671A (en) * | 1985-10-23 | 1987-04-28 | Trw Inc. | Electric steering gear |
US5020616A (en) * | 1987-09-11 | 1991-06-04 | Mitsubishi Denki K.K. | Power steering apparatus |
US5369583A (en) * | 1992-02-12 | 1994-11-29 | Lucas Industries Public Limited Company | Optical torque sensors and steering systems for vehicles incorporating them |
US6018691A (en) * | 1993-06-29 | 2000-01-25 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Vehicle steering system |
US5608394A (en) * | 1994-02-08 | 1997-03-04 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Position detecting method and apparatus |
US6044723A (en) * | 1997-05-29 | 2000-04-04 | Nsk Ltd. | Electric power assisting steering apparatus |
US6450044B1 (en) * | 1997-08-15 | 2002-09-17 | Bishop Innovation Limited | Torque transducer |
US6389910B1 (en) * | 1997-12-17 | 2002-05-21 | Bishop Innovation Pty. Limited | Transmission path torque transducer |
US6295879B1 (en) * | 1999-03-08 | 2001-10-02 | Trw Inc. | Torque sensing apparatus for an electric assist steering system |
US6543571B2 (en) * | 2000-07-14 | 2003-04-08 | Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd. | Torque detecting apparatus and electric power steering apparatus |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070000716A1 (en) * | 2005-06-30 | 2007-01-04 | Globe Motors, Inc. | Steering system torque sensor |
US7412906B2 (en) | 2005-06-30 | 2008-08-19 | Globe Motors, Inc. | Steering system torque sensor |
US20140360804A1 (en) * | 2011-10-31 | 2014-12-11 | Nsk Ltd. | Torque detection apparatus and electric power steering apparatus |
US9383274B2 (en) * | 2011-10-31 | 2016-07-05 | Nsk Ltd. | Torque detection apparatus and electric power steering apparatus |
JP2016197094A (en) * | 2015-04-06 | 2016-11-24 | キヤノン株式会社 | Displacement detection device, torque detection device, robot device, and displacement detection method |
WO2022043252A1 (en) * | 2020-08-26 | 2022-03-03 | Thyssenkrupp Presta Ag | Torque sensor unit with structured surface of the steering shafts |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2387826A (en) | 2003-10-29 |
DE10296270B4 (en) | 2008-07-31 |
GB2387826B (en) | 2004-05-19 |
WO2002062602A2 (en) | 2002-08-15 |
GB0318369D0 (en) | 2003-09-10 |
US6931311B2 (en) | 2005-08-16 |
DE10296270T5 (en) | 2004-03-04 |
WO2002062602A3 (en) | 2003-04-03 |
WO2002062602A9 (en) | 2002-10-31 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC., MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:THORNBURG, STEVEN D.;REEL/FRAME:014610/0574 Effective date: 20030619 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS HOLDINGS, LLC, MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.;REEL/FRAME:016835/0471 Effective date: 20051129 |
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CC | Certificate of correction | ||
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS HOLDINGS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:021253/0225 Effective date: 20080717 Owner name: FORD MOTOR COMPANY,MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS HOLDINGS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:021253/0225 Effective date: 20080717 |
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FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FORD MOTOR COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:022562/0494 Effective date: 20090414 Owner name: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC,MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FORD MOTOR COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:022562/0494 Effective date: 20090414 |
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REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
|
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20130816 |